The life of shelter dogs can become very stressful. In the absence of any enrichment, these dogs wake up to the same boring routine every day. Consequently boredom turns into anxiety, and anxiety may lead to unwanted behaviors and reduced adoptability. Shelter training and enrichment programs serve to help increase dog adoption rates as well as reduce stress by improving the physical and psychological well-being during their stay. The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hampton’s (a/k/a ARF Hamptons) Dog Training/Enrichment Program is a 6-week combined basic obedience training and enrichment program. All adult dogs progress through a standardized 6-week basic obedience program administered by trained staff members. Dogs not adopted by the end of the program start a “Continuing Enrichment Education” program, designed to maintain their well-being. I will describe ARF’s Dog Training/Enrichment Program in detail. Elements of the program can be utilized by any rescue organization to enhance their dogs’ quality of life.

Sponsor:Animal Behavior Society
Speaker(s):Barbara Pezzanite, Erica Feuerbacher,Victoria Cussen,Terri Bright,Steve Dale

Contact: Barbara Pezzanite
 Email: info@liabc.com
 Web: http://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/2019/